Chocolate Wizard

List of ingredients:

3 cups of water.
1/2 cup of sugar.
1 lemon peel twist (2-inches).
6 Northwest Bosc pears.
6 ounces of semisweet baking chocolate.
2 tablespoons of shortening.

Method:

In a large saucepan, combine the water, sugar and lemon twist; bring to a boil.

Pare the pears and trim slightly to level bottom; remove core from the blossom end, leaving the stem intact.

Add the pears to poaching liquid, then reduce heat.

Cover and gently simmer about 90 minutes or until tender when pierced with tip of sharp knife, turning and basting occasionally.

Remove pears from liquid and stand on a flat dish. Allow the pears to cool.

Melt the chocolate and shortening over very low heat.

Dry the pears with paper towels.

Holding each pear carefully by the stem, spoon the chocolate mixture over pear to coat.

Allow to stand in a cool place for the chocolate to set.

Serve as desired.

Source: Pear Recipes.